# NTSB FTW92LA026: Bell 47G3B2A, N8134J, Texarkana, TX, November 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1991, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Texarkana, TX
- Location: 33.4251° N, 94.0477° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Texarkana, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4251&lon=-94.0477&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN HELICOPTERS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - grass
  - terrain condition - soft
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 25 HOUR HELICOPTER STUDENT PILOT, ON AN ENDORSED SOLO FLIGHT, LANDED IN AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO HIS SON'S HOUSE.  HIS TWO ADOLESCENT GRANDCHILDREN BOARDED THE HELICOPTER TO GO FOR A FLIGHT.  AS THE HELICOPTER SETTLED WHILE PASSING THROUGH EFFECTIVE TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE AND THE RIGHT SKID IMPACTED THE SOFT GROUND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8134J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8134J-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 6835, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G3B2A
- Registry model: [Bell 47G3B2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g3b2a) (registry code 1181025) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TVO-435-GIA](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tvo-435-gia) (registry code 41526, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 6835
- Airframe hours: 6632
- Engines: LYCOMING TVO-435-F1A 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William T. RushinGs, doing business as E.T.P., Inc.
- Registered owner: Wile.T.P., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1991, 77 hours before
- Departed: NONE, ATLANTA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 233 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TXK, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911124053379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911124053379A), Nov 24, 1991: Bell 47G3B2A, Texarkana, TX, Substantial damage. Picked up to hover then nosed down for forward flight. Skid hit soft ground. Helicopter rolled over.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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